Grameenphone signed an agreement to enter into a partnership with the Dhaka Ahsania Mission to benefit the Dhaka Ahsania Mission Cancer & Genaral Hospital, at a local hotel today, 24 May 2007. The agreement was signed by Kafil Muyeed, Director, New Business of Grameenphone and Dhaka Ahsania Mission President & Chief Executive, Kazi Rafiqul Alam.

As per the terms of the partnership, Grameenphone will sponsor the complete development and upkeep of five wards and an Operation Theatre (OT) at the under construction Dhaka Ahsania Mission Cancer & General Hospital.

Major Gen. Dr. A.S.M. Matiur Rahman (retd), Advisor, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Water Resources and Religious Affairs, was present at the signing ceremony as Chief Guest. Grameenphone Managing Director, Erik Aas was also present at the signing.

 “We have always said that Grameenphone works for the development and betterment of our society, with this agreement we can honestly say that we really mean what we say,” said Erik Aas. Talking about GP's partnering with Dhaka Ahsania Mission, he added “I find the efforts of the Dhaka Ahsania Mission in this field extremely commendable and am pleased to be holding hands with them on this noble venture.”

Based on estimates of the Bangladesh Cancer Society there are about 1,000,000 cancer patients in Bangladesh. Each year about 200,000 new cancer patients are added and 150,000 die from the disease. Despite the numbers, existing cancer treatment facilities in Bangladesh are extremely limited and only 15,000 patients receive the proper medical treatment each year.

The sole telecom partner, Grameenphone will also work with the Dhaka Ahsania Mission authorities to screen the patients who are to admitted to those wards to ensure proper utilization. One third of the wards sponsored by GP will be reserved for more economically disadvantaged patients who will receive free admission and full treatment; the rest of the disadvantaged patients screened will receive treatment, which will be subsidized by Grameenphone.

Under the partnership agreement, Grameenphone will work closely with the Dhaka Ahsania Mission to create awareness about cancer and cancer risks within the country.

Dhaka Ahsania Mission established the Ahsania Mission Cancer and General Hospital, which is a specialized institution to create awareness about Cancer. The hospital provides high quality diagnostic and therapeutic care to ease the suffering of patients with cancer on a NO-PROFIT-NO-LOSS basis. The Mission is working to develop the hospital into a centre of excellence in the country in the field of cancer control (education, awareness creation, diagnosis, treatment and research on cancer).

Grameenphone's philosophy of being a partner in the development of Bangladesh is to initiate activities for the greater good of society. As a responsible corporate citizen, GP is helping through initiatives that stretch beyond just business, focusing its CSR activities in areas of health, education and empowerment.

The Dhaka Ahsania Mission partnership is the latest venture of Grameenphone in the health sector of Bangladesh. It could be stated that Grameenphone has recently signed an agreement with NGO Service Delivery Program (NSDP) of USAID to launch a nationwide project called “Safe Motherhood and Infant Care. Besides, GP has made long-term commitment to the Bangladesh Thalassaemia Hospital, to raise awareness and organize blood donation drives periodically throughout the country for the patients. Other recent GP health initiatives include organizing Eye camps and vaccination programs on National Immunization Day.

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